The five suspects linked to the murder of Molo activist Richard Otieno in a Nakuru High Court on March 13, 2025.
Fresh details have emerged linking one of the suspects in the murder of Molo activist Richard Otieno, alias Molo President, to a notorious gang behind highway robberies along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
Tanzanian national Stephen Masheti Mosodo, alias Machette, is said to be the ringleader of the ‘Katahema’ gang, a criminal group notorious for breaking into transit vehicles and robbing passengers along the highway.
Police made the revelations during their application to oppose granting of bond to the five suspects who pleaded not guilty to the killing of Mr Otieno on January 18 at his home in Elburgon sub county.
The Katahema gang primarily operates within Molo town. The other suspects are Geoffrey Ndung’u, Peter Oketch, Joseph Kihara and Evans Aseka.
During a court session, prosecutor Emma Okok opposed granting bail to the accused citing concerns over their safety, flight risk and potential interference with witnesses.
The five suspects linked to the murder of Molo political activist Richard Otieno at the Nakuru Law Court on February 03, 2025.
In an affidavit sworn by Inspector Patrick Wachira, described Masheti as a dangerous criminal with a history of serious offenses.
Masheti was arrested on February 14 at Isebania One Stop Border Post by police from Tarime, Tanzania, following joint intelligence efforts between Kenyan and Tanzanian officers.
After the murder, he allegedly fled Kenya and crossed into Tanzania to hide among relatives. Authorities are also investigating how he obtained a Kenyan identity card which he used to cross the border.
“The accused person is the ringleader of the ‘Katahema’ criminal gang that operates within Molo Town and along Nakuru -Eldoret highway and its environs whereby the gang breaks into into transts vehicles and robbing passengers thereby stealing valuables,” reads part of the affidavit by inspector Wachira.
Police also revealed that Masheti owns three mobile numbers, some registered under different identities making it difficult to track his residence and movements.
Investigators are still pursuing other accomplices, including the suspected executor of Otieno’s murder who is believed to be hiding outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Authorities claim this fugitive wields significant influence over the five accused persons.
The court has directed the prosecution to serve the defense with the application, after which the suspects will have seven days to respond. The case will be mentioned on March 27.
